Ice jam on AuSable loosens

January 14, 2013

AuSABLE FORKS - Two big ice jams on the East Branch of the AuSable River have moved downstream from the community of AuSable Forks.

Chris Garrow, superintendent of the town of Jay's Department of Public Works, told the Enterprise this morning that two of his employees were still monitoring the river, but the ice jams had dislodged as of about 9:30 a.m. and begun moving downstream toward Clintonville

"Everything is gone now," he said. "The one up by Stickney Bridge let go, and it went down through and it took the AuSable Forks one, and it's all gone downstream right now."

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The ice jam along the AuSable River near AuSable Forks as seen Monday morning.

Photo/Lora Bushy/Lake Placid News

Article Photos

Garrow said town officials were concerned that the ice jams could have caused flooding near the Grand Union on Main Street in downtown AuSable Forks. He said the Jersey neighborhood - which was hit hard by floodwaters caused by 2011's Tropical Storm Irene - was also threatened by flooding due to the ice jams.

The National Weather Service's Burlington, Vt., headquarters issued a flood statement this morning, warning that ice jams were causing the AuSable River to increase its level to near flood stage. The East Branch's gauge was at 6.9 feet this morning; flood stage is 7 feet.